High school basketball player Julie Spencer says her father, James Spencer, taught her how to play basketball and was her best friend. / KING 5 News

by Ashley M. Williams, USA TODAY Network

by Ashley M. Williams, USA TODAY Network

On the same day she buried her father, 17-year-old Julie Spencer honored him by leading her high school team to a state basketball title.

The Washington state teen scored 20 points and was named tournament MVP on Saturday.

Earlier that day, Julie attended the funeral of her dad, 58-year-old James Spencer, who died from skin cancer in February. She didn't think she'd be able to attend the tournament, which was taking place about 150 miles away.

But a local radio host, Dori Monson, who also coaches girls basketball, contacted Kenmore Air after Julie's coach reached out, and the company offered to fly her on a free charter flight to the big game.

Julie says she felt like her father, who taught her to play basketball, was watching.

"I know he was praying for me the whole game and just smiling down on me," Julie told KING 5 News. "That would have been his biggest life moment."